Was the nitwit who threw thr Royals HR back on the field ejected? That behavior can't be tolerated.

DumpJerry

04-08-2009, 07:13 AM

People who throw objects, including baseballs, on the field are usually given the heave-ho at Comiskey.

This is a departure from another local ballpark where they build a statue in honor of the goofball.

BringBackBlkJack

04-08-2009, 09:08 AM

I hope he was loudly booed, then promptly given the boot.

pdimas

04-08-2009, 09:12 AM

I kept looking to see if security took him away because the usually do but didn't see any movement. He did get a lot of boos from the rest of the outfield.

Rohan

04-08-2009, 09:57 AM

Well hopefully everyone learned a lesson from it and it won't happen again.
I don't really know how the Cubs justify such unsportsmanlike behavior. Certainly lacks etiquette and class.
Sometimes people forget that Baseball is a sport of class.
Recently here at Purdue University there was a basketball game between us and Duke.
Duke of course man handled us and beat us by 15 points. With two minutes left in the second half, some jerkoff decided it'd be a good idea to throw a towel on the court. I, and several of my friends, were infuriated. I proceeded to ask my friends how this Purdue students behavior was any worse than that of a cubs fan throwing a home run ball back on the field.
They couldn't justify it. Either way you, as a spectator, are throwing an external physical object onto the field of play and disrupting the game. There's no way around it.
Absolutely unacceptable.

Dan H

04-08-2009, 10:03 AM

It is a dumb tradition that Cub fans are still proud of. Why any White Sox fan would want to do this is beyond me. Unfortunately, it has caught on at other ball parks. 1969 is long gone. Most of the players on the team that won nothing are on social security. Time for this worn out practice to end.

PaleHoser

04-08-2009, 10:23 AM

Beer sales were prohibited (http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090407&content_id=4150698&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor) during the Tigers/Blue Jays game in Toronto on Tuesday after some knuckleheads threw baseballs and debris on the field on Opening Day.

There's some food for thought there.

Madvora

04-08-2009, 10:28 AM

Beer sales were prohibited (http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090407&content_id=4150698&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor) during the Tigers/Blue Jays game in Toronto on Tuesday after some knuckleheads threw baseballs and debris on the field on Opening Day.

There's some food for thought there.
It says in the article that the ban was unrelated to the delay in the game where fans threw debris on the field.

PaleHoser

04-08-2009, 10:34 AM

You are correct. I need more coffee. :gulp:

It's still something worth considering, but I don't see ownership of any professional sports franchise supporting it considering how much they make off beer sales.

MarySwiss

04-08-2009, 10:53 AM

At Chase Field, they have signs posted that warn people they'll be ejected for throwing stuff onto the field.

BainesHOF

04-08-2009, 11:27 AM

It's come to the point where signs should be posted. It's embarrassing how many fans want the ball thrown back on every opposing homer. Prohibit it, enforce it and be done with it.

haganaga

04-08-2009, 11:52 AM

It is a dumb tradition that Cub fans are still proud of. Why any White Sox fan would want to do this is beyond me. Unfortunately, it has caught on at other ball parks. 1969 is long gone. Most of the players on the team that won nothing are on social security. Time for this worn out practice to end.
Dumb, yes. But if I'm in the Wrigley bleachers during a Sox/Cubs game and I catch a Cubs HR, you better believe I'm chucking that sucker back and enjoying the beer shower that will likely come with it.

Has no place in our park, though.

twsoxfan5

04-08-2009, 11:57 AM

Yesterday was amatuer hour for sure. After he threw it back there were a few guys around him that were high-fiving, but most people in the other sections were yelling at him.

gregoriop

04-08-2009, 12:00 PM

Dumb, yes. But if I'm in the Wrigley bleachers during a Sox/Cubs game and I catch a Cubs HR, you better believe I'm chucking that sucker back and enjoying the beer shower that will likely come with it.

Has no place in our park, though.

Haha, this is awesome. This has to be one of the only times where it is acceptable to throw it back.

guillensdisciple

04-08-2009, 12:10 PM

This doesn't bother me the way it does others, but if anyone else was watching the pre-game show on Comcast, there was a guy in full out Cubs gear sitting near the third base side. I am confused as to why a Cubs fan would show up at our opening day. I liked it when Kenny Williams just said that as long as he was a paying customer it didn't matter. Classy, but we have to stir the pot here, he should have nailed him and sent Ozzie after him.

thomas35forever

04-08-2009, 12:13 PM

This doesn't bother me the way it does others, but if anyone else was watching the pre-game show on Comcast, there was a guy in full out Cubs gear sitting near the third base side. I am confused as to why a Cubs fan would show up at our opening day. I liked it when Kenny Williams just said that as long as he was a paying customer it didn't matter. Classy, but we have to stir the pot here, he should have nailed him and sent Ozzie after him.
I can already see the media labeling Ozzie as a manager who barrages Cubs fans for no apparent reason, but hey, it wouldn't be baseball season without one Ozzie controversy, would it?

jabrch

04-08-2009, 12:14 PM

Dumb, yes. But if I'm in the Wrigley bleachers during a Sox/Cubs game and I catch a Cubs HR, you better believe I'm chucking that sucker back and enjoying the beer shower that will likely come with it.

Has no place in our park, though.

Haha, this is awesome. This has to be one of the only times where it is acceptable to throw it back.

Just give the ball to a kid who will enjoy it...

ramblinsoxfan11

04-08-2009, 12:18 PM

Years ago I caught a Royal's foul ball and it was one of the coolest moments Ive had at a Sox game, (prior to 2005), why anyone would catch a homerun and throw it back is just moronic and a desperate plea for attention...

Hopefully that guy learned his lesson after receiving a wave of boo's from the fans. That's not a "White Sox Tradition" as our new advertising would say

C-Dawg

04-08-2009, 12:28 PM

Yesterday was amatuer hour for sure. After he threw it back there were a few guys around him that were high-fiving...

I agree; after EVERY opposing-team HR there is a segment of the fans in the outfield that urges the person who caught the ball to throw it back. They may be in a minority but they make themselves heard.

Maybe the public-service message they show on the scoreboard need to be more blunt; ie, persons throwing objects including baseballs onto the field will be ejected from the ballpark.

fusionspill

04-08-2009, 12:38 PM

Plenty of ignorent people were there yesturday. I showed up to my seat late eventhough I was in the park and a guy few rows back starts yelling about it. I ignored it. But he continued to ramble his mouth against the sox players but got pretty quiet after the Thome homer. They must've be flub fans dressed in sox gear, I never ran into this nonsense ever before.

haganaga

04-08-2009, 01:26 PM

Plenty of ignorent people were there yesturday. I showed up to my seat late eventhough I was in the park and a guy few rows back starts yelling about it. I ignored it. But he continued to ramble his mouth against the sox players but got pretty quiet after the Thome homer. They must've be flub fans dressed in sox gear, I never ran into this nonsense ever before.
Do the Sox have something like this in place?

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=4012452

BadBobbyJenks

04-08-2009, 02:16 PM

Dumb, yes. But if I'm in the Wrigley bleachers during a Sox/Cubs game and I catch a Cubs HR, you better believe I'm chucking that sucker back and enjoying the beer shower that will likely come with it.

Has no place in our park, though.

Agreed, it is a Cubs tradition let them keep it.

soxfan21

04-08-2009, 03:16 PM

This is just plain out stupid. Just keep the ball, its a nice gift. I especially get mad when a homer gets hit, and many morons start chanting "throw it back," then usually I'll retort with "This is not Wrigley you morons." Usually I'm not the only one that is saying this, it is just dumb and definately not worth getting thrown out of a game for.

doublem23

04-08-2009, 03:18 PM

Yesterday was amatuer hour for sure. After he threw it back there were a few guys around him that were high-fiving, but most people in the other sections were yelling at him.

These HR balls only seem to be hit to the idiots that would throw it back.

Irishsox1

04-08-2009, 03:29 PM

I caught a homerun hit by Mike Sweeney a couple of years ago and a couple Sox fans around me was yelling to throw it back. I kept it and gave it to my nephew. But, not all Sox fans are on board with not throwing it back.

amsteel

04-08-2009, 03:33 PM

I caught a homerun hit by Mike Sweeney a couple of years ago and a couple Sox fans around me was yelling to throw it back. I kept it and gave it to my nephew. But, not all Sox fans are on board with not throwing it back.

I'd say Sox fans are on board with it, there just happens to be people that aren't Sox fans at Sox games, and they tend to be the ones who start trouble.

Lorenzo Barcelo

04-08-2009, 03:56 PM

I'd say Sox fans are on board with it, there just happens to be people that aren't Sox fans at Sox games, and they tend to be the ones who start trouble.

Exactly, not everyone in attendance is a Sox fan, and it's these dolts that come to the game that shout for the ball to be thrown back. You'd be surprised though at how many of these "fans" pressure the person to throw it back. :rolleyes:

twsoxfan5

04-08-2009, 04:09 PM

I am in a very good spot for homeruns Sec 102 row 3 and it probably won't be pretty if I catch a homerun ball from another team. If one person tells me to throw it back it will most likely result in a shouting match and hopefully won't escalate from there.

C-Dawg

04-08-2009, 04:19 PM

There was a thread here a few years ago, where an elderly man (or lady, I don't remember which) caught a home run ball, and wound up in the middle of two camps shouting either "Throw it back!" or "No, don't throw it!". Clearly confused, he or she didn't know what to do (or why it mattered) and eventually did indeed throw the ball onto the field. The original poster mentioned that the old person sat there looking sad for the rest of the game, no doubt puzzled why there was ANY reason to throw away a souvenir like that. It struck me as a very sad story.

chisoxfanatic

04-08-2009, 04:33 PM

If I were ever to catch the other team's HR ball, I'd give it to a kid sitting nearby. They need to remind people on the video boards and over the PA system that throwing HR balls on to the field is unacceptable (not just mentioning "throwing objects," they need to spell it out for those nitwits).

BoysMom3

04-08-2009, 04:39 PM

C-Dawg, what a very sad story!

Chisoxfanatic, the reminder sounds like a good idea.

MarySwiss

04-08-2009, 07:15 PM

There was a thread here a few years ago, where an elderly man (or lady, I don't remember which) caught a home run ball, and wound up in the middle of two camps shouting either "Throw it back!" or "No, don't throw it!". Clearly confused, he or she didn't know what to do (or why it mattered) and eventually did indeed throw the ball onto the field. The original poster mentioned that the old person sat there looking sad for the rest of the game, no doubt puzzled why there was ANY reason to throw away a souvenir like that. It struck me as a very sad story.
I might have been that OP, C-Dawg. I remember relating a similar story.

It was at a Cubs game several years ago. I wasn't there, but I was watching on TV. This elderly man in the bleachers caught the ball. He had a big smile on his face and clearly wanted to keep the ball, but the fans kept badgering him to throw it back. They were relentless. I'm not sure why the camera stayed on this, but it did. These *******s just would not let up, and they finally got him to throw it back. When he did, they all cheered, but the look on his face said it all, as far as I was concerned. I remember turning to MrMarySwiss and saying something like, "I hope those bastards are proud of themselves."

I mean, here's a guy who catches a home run ball. Given his age, he'll probably never catch another. And these drunken morons just WOULD NOT LET HIM ALONE! It really pissed me off! In fact, it still does!

C-Dawg

04-08-2009, 07:42 PM

I might have been that OP, C-Dawg. I remember relating a similar story.

It was at a Cubs game several years ago....

I'll bet it was your story; I couldn't remember who it was that posted it originally. Thanks for the added insight!

The poor guy probably remembers back in the good old days before people did stupid stuff like throwing back home run balls.

Speaking of which, last summer the Tribune ran a story about the guy at Wrigley Field who supposedly originated and/or popularized the notion of throwing the balls back. It was a "feel good" warm & fuzzy type story, no doubt timed to coincide with the Cubs' historic march to the 2008 World Championship. Unfortunately, seeing it condoned in the press like that only serves to validate that doing it is the right thing to do.

Boondock Saint

04-08-2009, 07:53 PM

If I were ever to catch the other team's HR ball, I'd give it to a kid sitting nearby. They need to remind people on the video boards and over the PA system that throwing HR balls on to the field is unacceptable (not just mentioning "throwing objects," they need to spell it out for those nitwits).

I think this would help immensely. A video that says something specific like, "Throwing home run balls back is the same as throwing trash or personal belongings onto the field. It is dangerous and rude, and you will be ejected from the game if you are caught."

Hell, take it one step further. I'm sure people at the game think, "I've never seen anyone get ejected for throwing a ball back, they don't care." To show them that it's serious, show the offenders getting escorted from their seat on the game broadcasts. Encourage Hawk and Stone to mention that fans shouldn't throw balls back. Make it in no way unclear that it's just as wrong as fighting or running onto the field.

chisoxfanatic

04-08-2009, 08:06 PM

I think this would help immensely. A video that says something specific like, "Throwing home run balls back is the same as throwing trash or personal belongings onto the field. It is dangerous and rude, and you will be ejected from the game if you are caught."

Hell, take it one step further. I'm sure people at the game think, "I've never seen anyone get ejected for throwing a ball back, they don't care." To show them that it's serious, show the offenders getting escorted from their seat on the game broadcasts. Encourage Hawk and Stone to mention that fans shouldn't throw balls back. Make it in no way unclear that it's just as wrong as fighting or running onto the field.
They should also mention it over the loud speakers that throwing HR balls back on to the field is unacceptable behavior right after the perpetrator did his or her act, but not show him or her on the jumbotron in case he or she just did that to get on the big screen.

Boondock Saint

04-08-2009, 08:11 PM

They should also mention it over the loud speakers that throwing HR balls back on to the field is unacceptable behavior right after the perpetrator did his or her act, but not show him or her on the jumbotron in case he or she just did that to get on the big screen.

The thing that gets me is that they intentionally don't show people fighting or running onto the field during broadcasts, because they find that it encourages the behavior. But they show home run balls getting thrown back and don't say anything about it! I say make a spectacle of him being thrown out! Put him on the video screen as he's being ejected with a big red crossed-out circle over him and play the "error" sound effect over the PA. Embarrass the clown.

Viva Medias B's

04-08-2009, 08:13 PM

Gene Honda should specifically remind fans before the game not to throw opposing team home run balls on the field. And if such an instance does occur, Gene should repeat the reminder right then and there.

chisoxfanatic

04-08-2009, 08:14 PM

The thing that gets me is that they intentionally don't show people fighting or running onto the field during broadcasts, because they find that it encourages the behavior. But they show home run balls getting thrown back and don't say anything about it! I say make a spectacle of him being thrown out! Put him on the video screen as he's being ejected with a big red crossed-out circle over him and play the "error" sound effect over the PA. Embarrass the clown.
Now, if they could find a way to embarrass the idiot, I'd be all for it; but, if they're just showing the action without trying to embarrass him or her, that's where there are problems.

soxinem1

04-09-2009, 12:19 AM

Even if you have no class or sportsmanship, you should not throw the ball back for two reasons:

1. You can always give it to a kid, an old dude who never caught one before, or cute girl or guy who would be glad to have it and maybe even get you a phone number or a date!!

2. It does not take the runs off the board.

Mohoney

04-09-2009, 12:36 AM

Just give the ball to a kid who will enjoy it...

What if the kid throws it back? I've seen it happen before.

soxfan43

04-09-2009, 12:54 AM

Dumb, yes. But if I'm in the Wrigley bleachers during a Sox/Cubs game and I catch a Cubs HR, you better believe I'm chucking that sucker back and enjoying the beer shower that will likely come with it.

Has no place in our park, though.

Not gonna lie, I'd probably do the same. But still, it's a moronic tradition.

soxfan2504

04-09-2009, 02:03 AM

Not gonna lie, I'd probably do the same. But still, it's a moronic tradition.

Ditto on both points. If I were to catch a Sox homer ball in the Wrigley bleachers, I'm shoving that thing down my pants to make show no one in the Cubbie groupthink goes after that thing.

Then I'd tell everybody I haven't showered in two days.

kittle42

04-09-2009, 10:04 AM

Ditto on both points. If I were to catch a Sox homer ball in the Wrigley bleachers, I'm shoving that thing down my pants to make show no one in the Cubbie groupthink goes after that thing.

Some idiot would take out the ball they brought in with them and throw it back instead.

WizardsofOzzie

04-09-2009, 10:28 AM

What if the kid throws it back? I've seen it happen before.
You throw the kid on the field to retrieve it? :D:

TheDeacon

04-09-2009, 10:43 AM

I am pretty sure Gene Honda started making the pre-game announcement in the last year or so, warning that any fans throwing objects on the field will be ejected. I have seen someone ejected for throwing a ball back.

MikeKreevich

04-09-2009, 10:45 AM

During the playoffs last year, I saw homeruns thrown back that someone [a fan of the visiting team or a collector] would pay quite a bit for. Put that ball in your pocket!

Lorenzo Barcelo

04-09-2009, 12:44 PM

I think this would help immensely. A video that says something specific like, "Throwing home run balls back is the same as throwing trash or personal belongings onto the field. It is dangerous and rude, and you will be ejected from the game if you are caught."

Hell, take it one step further. I'm sure people at the game think, "I've never seen anyone get ejected for throwing a ball back, they don't care." To show them that it's serious, show the offenders getting escorted from their seat on the game broadcasts. Encourage Hawk and Stone to mention that fans shouldn't throw balls back. Make it in no way unclear that it's just as wrong as fighting or running onto the field.

I don't think having it shown on TV would help. These people advocating these HR balls to be thrown back are likely not going to watch a Sox game on TV. These people are just regular folks at a game with no rooting interest. I think the best way to set the example is at the ballpark like someone here has already suggested.

spiffie

04-09-2009, 12:52 PM

Sadly it is no longer just random fans or Cubs fans throwing balls back. Plenty of younger Sox fans who grew up seeing the idiots at Wrigley doing this have come to believe that it is something you just do no matter where you are. I've seen plenty of guys decked out in Sox garb chucking it back and getting high fives from other Sox fans. I fear this is a losing battle, and in time this ridiculous horse**** tradition will be commonplace.

FielderJones

04-09-2009, 12:55 PM

[Head and shoulder shot of Jim Thome]

Thome: There are traditions, and there are White Sox traditions.

[Home run swing footage in rapid succession by Quentin, Thome, Dye, and Konerko]

[Shots of happy fans catching and showing home run balls]

Thome: Littering the field is NOT a White Sox tradition.

[0.25 second subliminal still shot of trash on the field, ivy wall in background]

[Head and shoulder shot of Jim Thome]

Thome: Fans throwing anything on the field, including baseballs, are subject to ejection from the game, fines, and arrest. Please enjoy the game in true White Sox tradition!

John Barrett

04-09-2009, 01:16 PM

[Head and shoulder shot of Jim Thome]

Thome: There are traditions, and there are White Sox traditions.

[Home run swing footage in rapid succession by Quentin, Thome, Dye, and Konerko]

[Shots of happy fans catching and showing home run balls]

Thome: Littering the field is NOT a White Sox tradition.

[0.25 second subliminal still shot of trash on the field, ivy wall in background]

[Head and shoulder shot of Jim Thome]

Thome: Fans throwing anything on the field, including baseballs, are subject to ejection from the game, fines, and arrest. Please enjoy the game in true White Sox tradition!

would love to see that ....on television as well - separate traditions

MarySwiss

04-09-2009, 07:07 PM

[Head and shoulder shot of Jim Thome]

Thome: There are traditions, and there are White Sox traditions.

[Home run swing footage in rapid succession by Quentin, Thome, Dye, and Konerko]

[Shots of happy fans catching and showing home run balls]

Thome: Littering the field is NOT a White Sox tradition.

[0.25 second subliminal still shot of trash on the field, ivy wall in background]

[Head and shoulder shot of Jim Thome]

Thome: Fans throwing anything on the field, including baseballs, are subject to ejection from the game, fines, and arrest. Please enjoy the game in true White Sox tradition!

Excellent!

thomas35forever

04-09-2009, 08:53 PM

Thome: Littering the field is NOT a White Sox tradition.

[0.25 second subliminal still shot of trash on the field, ivy wall in background]

:rolling:

BoysMom3

04-09-2009, 09:02 PM

[Head and shoulder shot of Jim Thome]

Thome: There are traditions, and there are White Sox traditions.

[Home run swing footage in rapid succession by Quentin, Thome, Dye, and Konerko]

[Shots of happy fans catching and showing home run balls]

Thome: Littering the field is NOT a White Sox tradition.

[0.25 second subliminal still shot of trash on the field, ivy wall in background]

[Head and shoulder shot of Jim Thome]

Thome: Fans throwing anything on the field, including baseballs, are subject to ejection from the game, fines, and arrest. Please enjoy the game in true White Sox tradition!